Audible Bird Scaring Devices (Gas Guns)

Primary production businesses are of economic value to regional communities and the state, and are a source of income for their proprietors.

Bird damage can substantially affect the profitability of primary production. The use of audible bird scaring devices (gas guns) is used by primary producers as an effective way to manage potential orchard and vineyard crop losses.

With the warmer months rapidly approaching, residents are reminded that the City of Playford has a By-Law (6) which controls the use of both electronic and gas bird scaring devices.

Council is seeking cooperation from property owners who will use audible bird-scaring devices for the upcoming season, to ensure that the devices are correctly calibrated; the timers are functioning correctly and that all the regulated activities are controlled to ensure minimal disturbance to nearby residents.

The By-Law seeks to avoid noise disturbance by restricting the hours that devices can be used, the number of times the devices can be fired per hour and minimum distances from noise-sensitive premises.

Residents are advised that Council is actively enforcing the provisions of the by-law.

Guidelines for use of the devices are as follows:

Audible bird scaring devices can only be used between the hours of 7.00am and 8.00pm, seven days a week excluding Christmas Day and Good Friday

Detonations must not exceed six per hour and where an electronic device is used it must not exceed thirty seconds in duration

Devices must not be located nearer than 300 metres or be directed at a premises

Devices are limited to one device per 5 hectares of land; and, the area within 4 metres of a device must be cleared of flammable material prior to use

Monitoring and assessing potential impact on nearby residents will be investigated by Council’s Planning Compliance Officer